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He fell silent when the nurse returned, and I washed over with relief If he wouldn’t talk about it, then no one knew I had gone into the waves intentionally I wouldn’t have to suffer through the attention, the concern, not until I was ready to adht have a problem Maybe no one would ever have to know but Gavin

The nurse pressed a button, and a rees The blood drained frowas comfortable, a dark place I went often when I needed escape and going unconscious was my way out But today I didn’t want it and squeezed Gavin’s hand as though I could pull his strength into me

“Stay with us, Corabelle,” the nurse said “Don’tsalts” She lifted a straw to rees out Young kids in love” She smiled over at Gavin as I tried to suck and s The water was cool and soothing and I wanted more of it, an endless amount, but she pulled the cup away “Take it slow, honey You’ve been getting it through your veins for two days”

Two days!

I felt soh and realized I had a tube taped toA catheter! One hand was heavy and I lifted it to exa on a silver stand I turned to Gavin for confirht “We knew you’d pull through”

I opened h ca another shower of pain throughto breathe norain, I ed to squeak out, “Do my parents know?”

Gavin squeezedThey’ll be here very soon”

“Did you call the over sandpaper Each breath was painful, as though I had to wrench my chest wide to let in air

Gavin nodded, his face heavy with concern “That first night, e realized you were staying They couldn’t get out yesterday No flights”

The nurse pulled a thermometer froet to take this the old-fashioned way now” She stuck it between my lips

My parents’ arrival worriedthat had happened to ain? He left the day of our baby’s funeral, and I had not told theain after a four-year separation I didn’t know if they’d be supportive or cautious They were not invasive parents, and we only talked a couple times a month But they were protective Gavin’s sudden departure had been hard on all of us

“Excuse me a second, sweetheart” The nurse stepped between us, and Gavin had to let go of my hand

The thermometer beeped, and the nurse took it, squinted at the nuh, but nothing like e had yesterday We could have fried eggs on your belly button”

I wanted to shakebehindpain meds?” I asked

“Got some aches, do you?” she asked “That would be expected”